 |
Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation |
Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
|| Home || Search || Contact ||
Shaping the Future is
the corporate newsletter of RIRDC. It is distributed quarterly by direct
mail to over 4,000 researchers, industry, government, farmers, libraries
and consultants. Contributions are welcome.
Phone (02) 6272 4539,
Fax (02) 6272 5877, Editor: Tim Evans, ph (02) 6272 4735. email:
time@rirdc.gov.au
In this issue (click
on the title for full article):
Increasing
shelf life - Leafy Asian vegetables
Australian farmers
now have the latest information in their search for more efficient communications,
with the launch of The Australian Farmers Guide to the Internet.
A word from the MD
As you have already seen on the front
page, the second edition of the Australian Farmer's Guide to the Internet
is
now available – and selling fast.
Drought
feeding
Drughts are very
much a part of Australian life. Planning will not overcome them but it
will prepare landowners for the trauma that is associated.
Cooking
up a plan for culinary herbs
Australia's culinary
herb industry is worth between $25 and $30 million a year at the farm gate
with changes in Australia's ethnic mix and lifestyle presenting greater
opportunities for the industry.
New
publications catalogue out now!
The latest issue
of RIRDC's free publications catalogue is out now, containing a comprehensive
listing of over 550 titles.
International
award for CD-ROM
RIRDC and the National
Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) have released an international prize winning
CD-ROM containing one of the most comprehensive collections of rural and
remote health research papers and information ever produced in Australia.
Honey takes
the sting out of wounds
Honey, a natural
medicine used over 4,000 years ago, could change the way today's doctors
treat wounds according to new medical research.
Heywire
1999 winners
Young Australians
from Kalgoorlie to Birchip to Thursday Island will meet in Canberra in
February for the second Heywire youth forum.
Conifers
in the dry country
On-farm conifer
plantations, integrated with traditional farming activities, will lift
farm productivity and long-term sustainability, and provide income from
timber sales.
Domestic
consumption a carrot for our farmed rabbit industry
The release of rabbit
calicivirus in 1996 cut the harvesting of wild rabbits as an industry.
The
bookshop
View and purchase them through our online
catalogue. Many full reports are also available free as downloadable
pdf, rtf and MSWord6 documents.
This is the second edition from RIRDC and Farmwide Pty Ltd which explores cyberspace with the initiated and uninitiated looking at what is available, assessing sites and answering many farmers' questions about new era communications.
Launched by Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston, the book will help thousands of Australian farmers improve and update their electronic communications, an increasingly important element of life in the bush.
Improving regional adoption
Senator Alston said the guide had been produced to improve the adoption of Internet technology in regional Australia, where household usage has doubled in the past year to 16 per cent, but is still 10 per cent lower than city families.
“This guide is a starting point to apply the Internet as a business tool,” Senator Alston said. “It provides case studies and anecdotal evidence to inspire farmers as to the scope of online services and how other farmers have applied online services to their businesses.”
It is based on a solid understanding of
Australia's rural and remote telecommunications environment and experiences
of over 1000 farm families connected to the Internet since 1996.
It looks at all features of the Internet
including electronic mail, the worldwide web, newsgroups, chat rooms and
even how to develop a personal web site.
500 websites reviewed
Also included are reviews of over 500 web sites, which are updated on a regular basis through the web site that accompanies this guide. These sites are of particular interest to agriculture and cover subjects such as the weather, commodity prices, production information, banking, commercial services, government services and home shopping.
“Having to produce a second edition only two years after the first underlines the exciting changes and opportunities farmers are facing,” RIRDC Chair Professor Beth Woods said.
“By making the rural sector stronger and inclined towards electronic advancement we can help improve things like download times and make sites more manageable for the millions of people in this sector.”
'The Australian Farmers Guide to the Internet' is 426 pages and is available for $30 plus $8 postage and handling from RIRDC by calling (02) 6272 4819.
The release of this book, almost two years to the day after the first edition, highlights the constant changes in communications technology. But more importantly, how we use these changes to create an advantage.
RIRDC, through the Human Capital and Communications program (which funded the Guide), has undertaken several projects to determine what exactly is on the web for farmers and what suppliers of information need to present to make it worthwhile for farmers to use it.
The results show that while the two groups obviously need each other for the internet to be a useful tool, it is not yet a “hand in glove” situation and there are gaps in the way information is presented and sought.
The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics put farmer internet use at about 16 per cent, although it is claimed the figure is actually above 20 per cent, and it is in certain high value segments.
They report the internet is used mainly for business, as distinct from social or recreational purposes. Information needs listed by users (in order of importance) are commodity market reports, pricing information, technical product information, weather information, information on supplies and financial information.
Suppliers of this kind of information cannot ignore the internet, and must use it as more than just an electronic marketing brochure if they are to attract customers. It is also worth noting that farm internet users, compared to the rest of the farm population, have higher average levels of formal education. They are also more likely to be the decision makers and, as mentioned, be from the higher valued segments.
Aside from the content side of the web, there are two other areas of major opportunity. The first is through electronic mail. This service have been invaluable to rural communities, and as connection speeds and access improve, and technology advances further, it will continue to grow as a major tool for business and social communications.
An extension of this is electronic commerce. Currently the main use of the internet in purchasing decisions for Australian farmers has been in comparison shopping. Gathering information before concluding a purchase via more traditional means.
The two areas which currently offer the most potential in e-commerce are shopping and banking on-line. The strategies of both these industries are pretty obvious – they want consumers using e-commerce regularly. But what needs to be remembered is that policies must be advanced which do not discriminate against people in the bush.
As information suppliers ourselves, RIRDC must also use the internet as a tool to extend the research we undertake. For that reason we list a large amount of research information on our site (www.rirdc.gov.au) including most of our 450 final reports in simple form. The reduced use of graphics enables farm users with slow line speeds to access the information.
For those people who still prefer a hard copy of the information, all reports and books are available by using e-commerce to purchase via the CSIRO and Rural Press bookshops. We have also recently instigated an electronic newsletter, delivered via email, which will keep you up to date with our latest research and news.
Please take a look at our site and tell us what you think about it and the internet in general.
Peter Core
A growing sector of the industry is fresh-processing and convenience foods where leaves are used as constituents of pre-made salads and stir frys.
Unfortunately the shelf life of these vegetables is inheritently short, restricting domestic and export market opportunities.
However, new research from RIRDC, the Queensland Horticulture
Institute and producers, Mary Valley Plantations, has shown that the use
of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) should significantly extend shelf
life, creating more opportunities to provide convenience foods.
MAP has been used widely with other leafy greens such
as lettuce, but had not previously been investigated for Asian vegetables.
All seven vegetables tested showed significant shelf life improvement under MAP, increasing to 19-27 days.
The report also provides a basis for estimating appropriate films for a range of packaging and constituents which can now be trialed by industry.
More information: Tim O'Hare, Queensland Horticulture Institute, (07) 3406 8555
With many thousands of horse owners in
Australia, the equine industry in particular has to be ready.
RIRDC has recently completed a new information
book called Drought Feeding for Horses, which outlines strategies
to offset drought years.
Practical feeding guide
It is a practical guide on horse feeding and management to help owners break the daunting planning phase down to manageable steps and then to see the plan realised and in place.
It doesn't promise to drought-proof a property, but aims to provide general recommendations, which can be modified to fit the requirements of individuals.
Author David Nash says the planning and decision making must be done as soon as it is recognised a poor season may turn into a drought.
“If you leave the decisions until the drought worsens, many of the management options available early may be closed to you,” he said.
“Prices for horses usually drop dramatically, agistment dries up and fodder prices generally soar.”
14 checks
The booklet outlines a series of 14 checks which should be part of any plan. Included are questions on financial viability, an equipment audit, timing, and what effect the plan will have on the natural resources (soils, pastures etc.) It also takes an in depth look at the different nutritional requirements of different types of horses and how to best meet those requirements.
'Drought Feeding for Horses' is available for $15 (+ $6 postage) by calling RIRDC on (02) 6272 4819.
Mr Hyde was Managing Director of RIRDC from its inception in 1990 until 1996. He was instrumental in developing the funding partnership for equine research in the mid-1990s between industry and government, which until then had access to limited funds from fragmented industry sources.
The Awards recognise outstanding achievements in the equine industry and were presented in November by the Victorian Minister for Racing Hon Rob Hulls.
Researcher of the Year
Researcher of the Year was awarded to Dr Angus McKinnon who is acknowledged internationally for his contribution to equine reproduction.
Research Student of the Year is Dr Robert
Christley who has just completed his Doctorate on respiratory disease in
horses, and has developed a non-invasive method of collecting samples for
culture from the lower airways of horses.
RIRDC Equine Research and Development
Advisory Committee Chairperson Jane Vincent, said the strength of all three
winners was their perseverance and dedication to equine excellence.
“The winners of these awards this year represent three generations of contribution to the equine industry,” Ms Vincent said.
“Keith Hyde has left a long standing legacy through his development of the equine research program which is now used by researchers like Dr McKinnon and Dr Christley to maintain Australia's reputation for the highest level of equine health,” Ms Vincent said.
Catalyst for R&D program
“Keith was the catalyst to build a robust R&D program in 1995 with his untiring efforts in encouraging the horse industry to invest in unity, where previously it had been fragmented and unfocused.
“The generation of funds was only part of his work. He encouraged high level research with those funds which helped set an R&D course in Australia that is recognised world wide for its excellence.
Ms Vincent said Dr McKinnon's award as
Researcher of the Year would be roundly applauded in Australia, Canada
and the USA where he has undertaken extensive research in the field of
equine reproduction.
Dr McKinnon has a 20-year history in equine
research and is internationally recognised as a distinguished clinician
and researcher.
“Dr McKinnon has specialised in the difficult field of equine reproduction and over the past 20 years has made many significant and original contributions to reach the head of his field,” Ms Vincent said.
“His career abroad and in Australia has seen him author many original scientific articles and co-edit the most recognised book on equine reproduction.
Research Student of the Year
Rob Christley is a graduate of the University of Sydney and has just completed his doctorate in the area of respiratory disease.
“Dr Christley has already made a significant contribution to the equine industry by developing a much improved method of collecting samples of culture from the lower airways which has assisted better diagnosis of respiratory infections,” Ms Vincent said.
“The findings of his three year study were so impressive they have been published in a major booklet by RIRDC, which we believe will be widely used by the equine community.”
More information: Reuben Rose, RIRDC Research Manager, (02) 9351 2462.
Plan objectives
Key issues
Four key issues are identified in the plan as part of an extended SWOT analysis which will be further refined from responses to the draft plan.
1.
Identifying opportunities
The industry is currently driven by demand,
but as this situation may not continue, the industry needs to look at its
future by identifying opportunities for differentiating and adding value
to its product. Supply openings may be available in food manufacture, import
substitution and exports. Improved market awareness will need to be supported
by a better understanding of customer attitudes, promotions to educate
customers in herb use, quality consistency and reliability of product.
2.
Production
systems
In the long term there is a need to devise
and adopt production systems that are profitable and ecologically sustainable.
Much agronomic advice is currently based on historical sources, some of
which is of doubtful merit and on temperate climate sources.
3. Packaging and handling
Primarily a perishable product, there is much to be done to ensure herbs reach the end-user in good condition. R&D has a role to play in defining and devising packing and handling regimes that will extend shelf life and assure food retailers.
4. Industry unification
Industry organisation and information flow is an important issue as it is currently fragmented and scattered widely across the country. It lacks an effective organisation to speak for it and to attend matters of common interest such as representation to governments, promotion and R&D.
The full draft plan and a questionnaire for industry participants is on the RIRDC website at http://www.rirdc.gov.au/programs/npp.html.
For more information: David Evans,Reearch Manager, phone (02) 4454 3039.
The CD-ROM, Rural and Remote Health Papers 1991-1998, was launched by the Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, Senator Ian Macdonald, in Canberra.
Over 1100 research papers
The CD-ROM contains more than 1100 individual
research papers as well all articles from the Australian Journal of Rural
Health published between 1993 and 1998.
Support for the project has come from RIRDC's Human Capital, Communications and Information Systems program which invests $1.5 million a year to further develop rural communities.
“Maintaining rural health levels is a very important issue facing rural and regional Australia,” Roslyn Prinsley, General Manager, Research, said.
“This CD-Rom will be an excellent research tool for people concerned with health and other social issues affecting regional communities and play a role in developing strategies to overcome these issues.”
The CD-ROM, produced by Canberra-based company Netimpact Online Publishing, won an award earlier this year at the UK Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators 1999 Annual Documentation Awards.
More information: Roslyn Prinsley, RIRDC General Manager Research, (02) 6271 4033.
Dr Craig Davis from Queensland's Centre for Food Technology has found spreading certain types of honey on wounds helps them heal quicker. The research, supported by RIRDC, is particularly timely as two of the most common bacteria in wounds are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.
According to the research, honey's high sugar content slows bacterial growth by reducing the amount of water available to them. In addition, an enzyme secreted from the bee's mouth makes hydrogen peroxide which acts as an antibacterial agent when diluted with water. Honey's acidity also has anti-bacterial properties.
Healing unhealable wounds
Brisbane hospitals recently carried out some research using honey on leg ulcers and bedsores. When honey was applied, wounds that had previously not healed, closed after two to three months. Even when the honey was diluted so that it was only at a six per cent concentration level, all bacteria were wiped out.
Ironically, the type of honey used is often discarded by beekeepers as it turns into a jelly, making it difficult to extract.
The RIRDC commissioned work shows that much of the healthy impact of the honey is due to the sort of plants visited by the bees, in particular the Leptospermum tree found in Northern NSW. It is thought that an, as yet, unidentified component in the nectar from the tree's flower is particularly potent with some bacteria.
Potential for wider use
It is anticipated that these special honeys will also provide opportunities for use against acne, nappy rash, tinea, eczema, psoriasis and even insect bites.
Dr Davis said, “The more that we can learn
how nature surpasses man-made medicines, the better. Such natural treatments
are good for our health, good for the environment and good for our back
pockets. The ancient Egyptians and
Greeks clearly knew something; it's up
to us to relearn what they knew.
“Hopefully, in a few years time we will be able to buy Band-Aids, ointments and bandages that are impregnated with honey. Ironically, you could even find yourself treating a bee sting with honey one day.”
More information: Craig Davies, (07) 3406 8611
Heywire is an initiative of ABC Local and Regional Services and RIRDC open to people aged 16 - 22 to submit a script for a three minute radio documentary about life as they know it in regional Australia.
The announcement of winners took place at the Regional Australia Summit in November where Senator Ian Macdonald, Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, congratulated the 37 winners from across regional Australia.
“I was very pleased to meet last year's inaugural Heywire winners and to present certificates to them. They impressed me greatly with their enthusiasm and energy. They were great ambassadors for Regional Australia as I am sure the 1999 winners will also be”, he said.
RIRDC managing director Peter Core said he was also looking forward to another successful Heywire.
“The inaugural Heywire last year proved a great experience for all those involved and I am sure the 37 participants this year will also get enormous benefit,” Mr Core said.
“The youth forum in Canberra will provide experience and training in
goal setting, communication, leadership, teamwork skills and problem solving
– all areas which will help prepare these people for leadership roles in
their communities. It will also explore many of the issues raised in the
competition submissions.”
New South Wales & ACT
| Andrew Greene | Curtin, ACT |
| Patrick Collins | Moruya |
| Angela Tollis | Inverell |
| Pauline Fell | Lake Cargelligo |
| Debbie Patterson | Bathurst |
| Natalie Murphy | Manildra |
| Stewart Grant | Eureka |
| Tim McKenzie | Thirroul, |
| Ben Westblade | Fairy Meadow |
Victoria
| Meg Berry | Valencia Creek |
| Louisa Ferrier | Birchip |
| Alicia Gallagher | Waubra |
| Gina Smith | Barham |
| Katherine Coutts | Jingellic |
Northern Territory
| Deven Crawford
Margaret Franklin |
Alice Springs
Winnellie |
Queensland
| Cally Brain | Gatton |
| David Sullivan | Jundah |
| Martha Cowell | Thursday Island |
| Danielle Drury & Suzie Hennessy | Aitkenvale |
| Daena Scheuber,
Penny Kowalski & Jacqui Kelly |
North Rockhampton |
South Australia
| Patrick Redden,
Emma Ogilvy, Alison Farr & Melissa Wilkes |
Renmark |
| Ashley Wurst | Jamestown |
| Penny Evans | Mt Gambier |
| Rebecca Pugsley | Ungarra |
Tasmania
| Thomas Ryan | St Helens |
| Fiona Kuhl | Launceston |
| Eamonn Miller | Hobart |
Western Australia
| Jasmine Cirulis | Kalgoorlie |
| Ben Anderson | Geraldton |
| Charlie Jones | Pemberton |
More information: Justine McSweeney,
ABC Heywire Co-ordinator
Phone - 03 9626 1861 Mobile 0419 166 749 l Email - mcsweeney.justine@a2.abc.net.au
However, the 400-600 mm rainfall zone produces a large proportion of Australia's grain crops and provides substantial areas of preferred sheep and cattle grazing.
As a legacy of over-clearing, farmers are now battling to maintain productivity in the face of degradation caused by soil erosion, rising water tables and salinity. The problem is compounded by declining profitability of traditional agricultural pursuits.
As part of the overall strategy to combat these problems, CSIRO and state forest agencies in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia formed the Australian Low Rainfall Tree Improvement Group (ALRTIG). The project is supported by the Natural Heritage Trust, through the Joint Venture Agroforestry Program (JVAP).
ALRTIG's objective is to provide high quality planting material for selected conifers, hardwoods, and eucalypt oil mallees, suited to the 400-600 mm rainfall zone of southern Australia.
On-farm conifer plantations, integrated with traditional farming activities, will lift farm productivity and long-term sustainability, and provide income from timber sales.
According to CSIRO's David Spencer, the demand for softwood (conifer) products in Australia is steadily increasing, as native-forest hardwoods become scarcer.
“Current estimates indicate that global demand for softwood will be very strong in the future, which makes conifer plantations economically and environmentally attractive,” Mr Spencer says.
More information: Sharon Davis, RIRDC Research Manager, (02) 6271 6671
But, three years later a farmed rabbit industry is emerging to meet the consumer demand that had been previously filled by the wild harvesting.
A new report by ABARE researcher Max Foster has identified a growth industry which is projected to reach 692 tonnes dressed weight by 2004-05.
Guide to industry prospects
As with all new industries there are threats to growth and the report is aimed at providing a concise information guide on the nature and economic prospects of the Australian farmed rabbit industry to potential investors, researchers and policy makers.
Australia is still only a small player in world rabbit production, with nearly 1 million tonnes of rabbit meat being produced in 1998 for human consumption, an estimated 56 per cent from intensive rabbit farms, the remainder by traditional extensive means.
China produces nearly one-third of world rabbit meat and provides over 40 per cent of world exports. The bulk of the remainder of production and trade occurs in European countries, particularly Italy and France.
In Australia about 500 permits have been issued by regulatory agencies to establish rabbit farms, at this stage there are only an estimated 115 commercial scale farms (loosely defined as having more than ten breeding does).
Current production is limited to WA, NSW and Victoria, remaining prohibited in other states.
Domestic support is key
The industry's future lies in support from the domestic market. Reflecting long run costs of production, whole prices for farmed rabbit meat are projected to be around $7.50 a kilogram dressed weight in constant 1999 dollars ($7.10 for a 1.25 kilogram rabbit at the farm gate). However, over-investment in production capacity could see prices driven down into the range of $5–6 a kilogram.
31% projected growth rate
It is projected that production of farmed rabbit meat in Australia will reach 692 tonnes dressed weight by 2004-05, an average rate of growth of 31 per cent a year. This projection assumes that there is growing awareness and acceptance of consumers of farmed rabbit meat as it becomes more readily available on the market. A pessimistic view of consumer acceptance would still see annual consumption of 344 tonnes dressed weight by the 2004-05.
The main factor creating demand for farmed rabbit meat is that the Australian population includes an ethnic component, mainly a continental European one, which has a tradition of consuming rabbit meat. However, high production costs, stigmas among some sections of the population about rabbit meat, and strong competition from other white meats, particularly poultry, will limit the market inroads that farmed rabbit meat makes.
Industry barriers
The Australian farmed rabbit industry will have difficulty in the foreseeable future competing in export markets because its production costs make it uncompetitive by world standards.
There is a possibility that rabbit meat can be imported into Australia at competitive prices from low cost producing countries like China.
The other key threat to the long run viability of the Australian farmed rabbit industry is the re-emergence of the wild rabbit industry. A small wild rabbit industry still operates in Victoria. However, while wild rabbit populations could rebound after the initial impact of RCD, it is thought unlikely that they will again approach levels that will make very large scale harvesting of wild rabbits viable.
More information: Max Foster, ABARE, (02) 6272 2095 or mfoster@abare.gov.au
To order the report 'Australian Farmed
Rabbit', phone RIRDC on (02) 6272 4819. (1999, 49 pages, Pub no. 99/89,
$10)
Australian Farmed Rabbit Industry 1998-99
| Production, rabbit meat: | 106 tonnesa |
| Farm gate gross value: | $0.62 million |
| Average farm gate price: | $7.42 a rabbita |
| Number of farms, Australia:
New South Wales: Victoria: Western Australia: |
115
80 32 3 |
| Average farm size: | 57 breeding does |
World Farmed Rabbit Industrya
| Production, rabbit meat: | 960 000 tonnes |
| Total exports: | US$234 millionb |
| Meat: | US$201 millionb |
| Live rabbits: | US$21 millionb |
| Pelts: | US$12 millionb |
Many full reports are also available free as downloadable pdf, rtf and MSWord6 documents.
Many reports have been summarised in free RIRDC "Short
Reports".
Last updated: 12 May 1999
Copyright © RIRDC
http://www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/autumn99.htm